SIBERIA. This vast but little known region is very rich in metals. There are three extensive mining districts. The most western comprehends the mines of the Ural Moun tains; which are rich in gold, silver, and copper; and they contain also iron, silver, and platinum in smaller quantities. The second mining-district is that of Bernaul, which yields much silver and copper, but less gold and lead. The mines from which these metals are obtained lie mostly in the Altai Mountains and in those valleys which open to the Irtish River. The third mining-district is that of Nertshinsk, which is situated on the east of the Yablonoi Khrebet, in the basin of the river Amur. These mines contain gold, lead, silver, iron, antimony, and arsenic. The western parts of Siberia get the salt which is required for their consumption from the salt lakes in the steppes of Ishim and Barabinsk, in some of which the salt crystallises spontaneously. The countries bordering on the river Lena obtain salt partly from some salt-springs which occur in the vicinity of the town of Ust Kutsk, and partly from the river Vilui. Da Uria obtains its salt from one of the lakes of the Gobi, called Dabassunel Lake, not far from that of Khara. Several kinds of precious stones occur in Siberia, and diamonds have been found along the eastern declivity of tho Uralian range. The amethysts, topazes,
emeralds, and red tourmalines, are of great beauty ; zircons of extraordinary size have been found near Miask, south of Ekatarin burg. Lapis lazuli and talc of fine quality are met with. The tusks of the fossil elephant constitute an article of commerce, and many persons make the discovery of them the busi ness of their life.
Siberia possesses tanneries, iron foundries, glass works, and manufactures of coarse woollens and linens ; but their number is in considerable. There are smelting and refining works connected with the mines.
Siberia carries on an extensive commerce with Russia, Benue, Tashkend, and China: The most important is the trade with Russia. The transport of the goods is effected by a road which leads from Perm in Russia to Ekatarinburg and Tobolsk. The commerce which is carried on at Kiachta with the Chi nese has been noticed under KUCHTA. The goods from Irkutsk to Kiachta, and from Kiachta to Irkutsk, are conveyed from May to November, by large vessels which navigate the Lake of Baikal and the river Selenga, and in November and December by carts on a mountain road. The inhabitants of Siberia have also some commerce with Tartary.